Rapids Reserves beat New Mexico 2-0

The Rapids Reserves earned a 2-0 win over the University of New Mexico on Sunday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the second straight weekend that the Reserves have beaten a collegiate team. Forwards Gabriel Torres and Kamani Hill scored in the second half, as Clint Irwin and Joe Nasco combined for a shutout.

Torres put the Rapids ahead in the 64th minute when he ran onto a Marvin Chávez pass behind the defense on the right side, dribbled into the middle, and ripped a shot from about 15 yards past the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net.

Just five minutes later, the Rapids Reserves doubled their lead. Trialist Thomas Piermayr was fouled near the top of the box, and Hill hit the free kick over the wall and into the top corner for the 2-0 lead. Piermayr had a chance late in the game to add a third goal, but his strike from distance went just wide.

The Rapids had battled into a strong wind in the first half, and while New Mexico had most of the ball for the opening 15 minutes, Colorado still had the better of the chances. Charles Eloundou, Hill and Torres all found opportunities but either put their shots wide or had them blocked by the New Mexico defense.

Chávez almost gave Colorado the lead early in the second half, blasting a low free kick from about 30 yards, but it was parried just wide by the goalkeeper.

The Reserves again used a combination of first team players, trialists and Academy products in the match, and finished the game with five members of the Under-18 Team on the field. Quentin Pearson stood out among all the Academy players, playing the second 45 at centerback, winning a number of tackles and headers to keep the game scoreless.

This was the second straight Sunday the Rapids Reserves have captured a win over a college team, having topped the University of Nebraska Omaha 3-1 a week ago. The Reserves will open their league schedule on April 27 when they travel to face the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves.